The Cop29 summit is held between world nations who are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. This year, at the meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, many of them signed up to an energy transition agreement, including Uganda.
Uganda’s plan is a new one and has come into fruition after many years of research and funding, but not many people know what the country has committed to as it starts the energy transition process.
This article aims to answer that question and shed some light on how the energy transition deal could help the fight against climate change.
The world’s current energy usage
The world’s reliance on fossil fuels remains stubbornly high. Despite a record year for renewable energy, global fossil fuel consumption reached a new peak in 2023, according to a recent Energy Institute report.
This increase, driven primarily by developing nations like India, threatens to derail climate goals. Advanced economies may be gradually shifting away from fossil fuels thanks to higher funding, but the global south continues to prioritize economic growth, leading to increased demand for coal, gas, and oil.
What’s more, recent studies have found that even various online activities need a lot of energy to fulfil, regardless of the location. Cryptocurrency mining is one famous example, with miners using on average 40 kWh per week. Even seemingly minor activities, like visiting an online casino, needs the use of data centers which have also been found to consume huge amounts of energy.
It’s prompted some developing countries to reassess their output, with Uganda being one of them. The East African nation, with its rich renewable energy potential and growing energy demand, confirmed at Cop29 that it’s charting a course towards a greener future.
Uganda’s green leap
Uganda’s recent strides in the energy sector are nothing short of remarkable.
The commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Plant, along with the existing Isimba Hydropower Plant, has dramatically grown the country’s electricity generation capacity. Not only does this surge illuminate Ugandan homes but it also positions the nation as a regional energy hub.
The vision is clear: to not just provide enough energy for itself, but to export surplus electricity to neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Rwanda.
The Ugandan government plans to use the East African Power Pool, a cross-country energy-sharing initiative, to solve energy poverty in the region and stimulate economic growth among its members.
A gas-powered transition
Renewable energy is the cornerstone of Uganda’s energy future, but the country is also exploring the potential of its natural gas reserves.
This revolves around converting associated gas into Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). In doing so, Uganda expects to reduce its reliance on traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood: both substances that add to deforestation and air pollution.
The cost, however, is a big issue. Uganda is looking for partnerships with international investors to fund an LPG production facility, but this is a tough political act to carry out.
A balancing act
Uganda’s energy transition comes with other likely challenges. The country must balance between meeting the energy needs of its growing population and reducing its carbon footprint.
Expanding access to electricity is crucial for economic development and social progress, but it must be done sustainably.
The government’s scientists and transport experts have mapped out the Energy Transition Plan, a blueprint based on smart strategies and emissions reporting. If successful, it leads the way to a low-carbon future.
If it can get this balancing act, Uganda can both achieve its climate goals and deliver energy security for its citizens, not to mention the benefits for its neighbors and the world at large.
The expected timescale
To make its energy transition a reality, Uganda’s plan outlines a long-term vision for the country’s energy sector, via specific targets and milestones for the coming decades. These include universal access to electricity and big progress in clean cooking solutions by 2030; a modernized and diversified energy mix, with a significant increase in renewable energy generation 20 years after that, and finally net-zero emissions by 2065.
It’s important to note that the specific timeline for achieving these goals may vary depending on various factors, including technological advancements, investment availability, and policy implementation. However, the plan is the most accurate statement we have so far for the Uganda’s transition.
A brighter future
Uganda’s commitment to a sustainable energy future could inspire other countries to follow suit. Promoting energy efficiency and investing in clean technologies is harder for African countries than those in the West, but Uganda’s journey serves as a model for developing economies over the next few years.